Defender David Luiz left the field in Flamengo’s 3-1 victory over São Paulo, this Wednesday, because of viral hepatitis. He was replaced at halftime by Fabricio Bruno. In the last few days, the player had a virus, sleeping poorly and showing many signs of fatigue.
Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide. It is an infection that affects the liver, causing mild, moderate or severe changes. Most of the time they are silent infections, that is, they do not have symptoms. However, when present, they can manifest as: tiredness, fever, malaise, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellow skin and eyes, dark urine and pale stools.
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In Brazil, the most common viral hepatitis are caused by viruses A, B and C. There is also, less frequently, the hepatitis D virus (more common in the northern region of the country) and the hepatitis E virus, which is less common in Brazil, being more easily found in Africa and Asia.
Infections caused by hepatitis B or C viruses often become chronic. However, because they do not always have symptoms, most people are unaware of having the infection. This causes the disease to evolve for decades without proper diagnosis. The progression of the infection compromises the liver, causing advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, which can lead to the development of cancer and the need for organ transplantation.
The impact of these infections causes approximately 1.4 million deaths annually worldwide, whether due to acute infection, liver cancer or cirrhosis associated with hepatitis. The mortality rate of hepatitis C, for example, can be compared to that of HIV and tuberculosis.
Currently, there are rapid tests for the detection of infection by viruses B or C, which are available in the SUS for the entire population. All people need to be tested at least once in their lifetime for these types of hepatitis. More vulnerable populations need to be tested periodically.
In addition, although hepatitis B has no cure, the vaccine against this infection is offered universally and free of charge in the SUS, in Basic Health Units. Hepatitis C, on the other hand, does not have a vaccine that provides protection. However, there are medicines that allow it to be cured.
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